Madrid Skylitzes

The Madrid Skylitzes is a 12th-century illuminated manuscript version of the Synopsis of Histories (Greek: Σύνοψις Ἱστοριῶν)^[a] by John Skylitzes, which covers the reigns of the Byzantine emperors from the death of Nicephorus I in 811 to the deposition of Michael VI in 1057.^[1] The manuscript was produced at the Norman court of Palermo in Sicily (although there is some debate on whether the main body was made in Palermo or Constantinople)^[2][3] and is now housed in the Biblioteca Nacional de España in Madrid. It remains the only preserved Greek-language illustrated chronicle from the Byzantine period.^[4] The chronicle includes 574 miniatures detailing depictions of everyday life in the Byzantine Empire such as boats, literary practices, sieges, and ceremonies,^[1] in "both purely Byzantine and Western styles while also reflecting Islamic elements".^[5]

Madrid Skylitzes

Scene from the Battle of Shirimni; the army of Basil II defeating George I of Georgia
Author	John Skylitzes
Original title	Σύνοψις Ἱστοριῶν
Language	Medieval Greek
Genre	Historiography
Publication date	12th century

Images

Illustrations from Madrid Skylitzes

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  a. Leo VI with a Bulgarian delegation
  b. The Battle of Boulgarophygon
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  Thomas the Slav seeks refuge with the Arabs
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  a. Thomas the Slav negotiates with the Saracens
  b. Thomas's troops defeat the Imperial army
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  a. The assassination of Bardas at the feet of Michael III (865-866)
  b. Return of the army and coronation of Basil I as co-regent
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  Depiction of Greek fire in the Madrid Skylitzes
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  Depiction of the baptism of Boris I of Bulgaria
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  Meeting between Emperor John Tzimiskes and Sviatoslav I of Kiev
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  Serbs attack the Byzantines in the mountain passes at the Battle of Bar